Energy expenditure due to forage intake and walking of grazing cattle

Abstract

The relative increment in daily maintenance requirement by physical activity was estimated in free-grazing cattle. The effects of forage harvesting and walking were measured and expressed as an index in relation to the value of energy expenditure of animals in corrals. All indices were obtained from experiments conducted in Balcarce (Argentina) from 1993 to 1995. Energy expenditure of Aberdeen Angus steers was estimated by the 14C-entry rate technique, on animals standing still in a corral, grazing at two different biting rates or walking at four different speeds. Information on time spent on grazing and distance traveled was obtained from the literature. These estimations indicate that the maintenance cost of cattle in corrals could be increased on pastures by a factor of 1.08 to 1.30, depending upon the grazing conditions. It was observed that grazing at high biting rate was the variable of highest effect on maintenance energy cost, and that walking or grazing at moderate biting rate was of lower incidence.